LGBTQ+ rights in Spain - DYKKA.com

Spain is a land of olives, sun, modern art and endless chill. But how has it viewed and acted towards the rights of LGBTQ+ people?

Transgender people in the Kingdom of Spain recently celebrated: They can now change their official gender from the age of sixteen, without having to undergo hormone treatment, psychological testing, or reconstructive surgery. On the other hand, this southern European country still only recognizes two official genders, male and female, which complicates life for non-binary people.

In the past, the situation for LGBTQ+ people was worse. During the dictatorship of Francisco Franco from 1939 to 1975, same-sex sexual intercourse was illegal, and as in many other countries, it led to the imprisonment of many people. After Francisco Franco died and Spain returned to the monarchy, the atmosphere relaxed and over time LGBTQ+ people gained more rights, such as marriage for all in 2005.

It was created by lawyer, activist and former Madrid councillor Pedro Zerolo (✝ 2015). Today, two Spanish squares are named after him: one in the Chueca district of Madrid and the other in Seville. Anyone who has been to Madrid knows that it is one of the most likeable neighborhoods in the entire city.